BUILDING AN UPSTOPPABLE TEAM FOR A VITAL SECTOR

18 months ago, our Not for Profit team consisted of four people. From September, that number will be 23. And we’re still on the lookout for more fresh faces.

We’ve made two key hires in the last two months alone. Nick Simkins joins us as Partner and Head of Not for Profit, having previously led the national NFP team at Moore Stephens, prior to its merger with BDO. And Glen Bott has also joined us as a specialist NFP Director.

Our NFP team was previously headed up by Simon Atkins, who will hand over the running of the team to Nick. Simon will continue working with his client base in his role as Partner, as well as taking on a wider remit as Head of Risk.

Now, the ambition is clear: to build on our position as the #1 NFP Auditor in the Midlands. And become the #1 in the UK.

At the end of last year, we recruited the Education Services team from Oxfordshire-based accountants, Whitley Stimpson. It was a big step forward for us, stretching our footprint across the UK with 25 new clients, and deepening our expertise with two senior hires in Director, Andy Jones, and Senior Manager, Sarah Chambers – both of whom have been working in the academy sector since its inception.

Our team don’t just have tons of experience. They’re all specialists in the NFP sector, too – which is rare. And with a number of the team acting as governors and trustees in academy schools and charities, they understand and appreciate our clients’ issues and opportunities, first-hand.

We’ve also built excellent relationships with the Association of School & College Leaders (ASCL) and the Institute of School Business Leadership (ISBL), increasing our influence in the education sector. And we’ve been helping our clients out with a broad range of services, from internal and external audit, VAT, direct taxation, governance and risk reviews.

Finally, a word from Nick Simkins, our Head of Not for Profit. He said:

“I am thrilled to join Cooper Parry at such an exciting time. We have brought together an unrivalled team of experienced specialists who are passionate and caring about the not for profit world.

“We are a firm with a unique culture that genuinely lives out its values for the benefit of our people and clients.

“It’s time for Cooper Parry to disrupt and reach our ambition to be the #1 NFP firm.”